Warriors start strong
Drouin 6/141 def by Western Park 5/142
Western Park has begun their season on the right foot, downing arch-rival Drouin in a scrappy affair.
Winning the toss and batting on a soaked Western Park outfield, the Hawks looked to be the far superior side early on, as Jordan Wyatt marked his return with a quickfire 30.
His departure saw the debut of new skipper Cam McPhan take shape, as he and Josh Maric (46) built a solid partnership that looked to take the game away from the Warriors.
New spinner Harry Wans rebounded well for the home side, as he dragged his new club back into the game with an economical spell, as he and Joel Batson (3-18) put the clamps on. Once McPhan was dismissed the wheels fell off for Drouin and they were restricted to 6-141.
In reply, Western Park performed rather shakily. Jack Armour (15) and Sanjaya Gangodawila (13) created a whirlwind first five overs, but wickets to Simon Gardiner and Mitch Smith dried up the runs. Western Park had their backs against the wall at 4-84 shortly after drinks, setting up a grandstand finish.
However, a beautifully paced 51* by coach Sam Batson eased the men in blue over the line with five wickets to spare.
Buln Buln 95 def by Yarragon 4/96
A dominant Yarragon side has shaken off the disappointment of last year’s finish, as they routed Buln Buln to take an early ladder lead.
Bowling first, the Panthers were simply outstanding in their execution, with Lachlan Dobson (2-20) generating panic in the Lyrebirds early, taking wickets with the new ball.
Kurt Borsato (2-9) was next to get into the act, as Buln simply couldn’t get going. paving the way for Amal Athulathmudali (3-14) to strut his stuff in a dominant debut in the WDCA.
Only Patty Ireland (17*) was able to scrape together a crumb of form, as he battled hard, with his side all out for just 95. In reply, Yarragon looked rather flimsy early as Sam Reid and Ricky McKerrow took two wickets each to reduce the home side to 4-57, with a finisher required. Enter Athulathmudali again, as he crushed the ball to all parts making a quickfire 38* to see his side home.
B Grade
Hallora 5/97 def Warragul 94
A plucky Hallora side has downed a newly promoted Warragul outfit at Poowong.
Bowling first, the Kangas were on top from the get-go, with a strong defensive outfit suffocating the Gulls. James Vela (3-15) and Chris Sharpe (3-22) were undoubtedly the pick of the bowlers with their experience, but the likes of Jacob Kleeven (2-11) also played their role well.
The Gulls were all out for just 94, with 42 of those coming from star man Matt Wakefield, who carried his side. In response, a quick 30 to Aidan Phillips put the game beyond doubt early and despite two wickets to Wakefield, the damage had well and truly been done, as the home side stormed home to win comfortably.
Western Park 7/143 def Drouin 101
A quality bowling performance has seen Western Park avenge last year’s semi-final defeat, easily handling Drouin in their first match of the season.
Batting first, Sam McMillan (48) and Jack Barnes (36) were ferocious in the first hour, seemingly setting the platform of a large score. However, their dismissals triggered a collapse, with the older firm of Daniel Glover (3-29) and John Perry (3-29) wrenching back some control as Western Park stuttered to 7-143 off their allotted overs.
After the interval, the baby Warriors blew their archrivals away as Kyle Baker (3–13) and Jack Barnes (3-4) ran riot, reducing Drouin to 8-44. Daniel Glover (40) managed to keep hopes of a miracle win alive for the home side, but they were well and truly defeated and were bundled out for 101.
Longwarry 8/154 def Neerim District 9/152
The game of the weekend saw Longwarry scrape over the line against Neerim District. Bowling first, Longwarry were in deep trouble early, as the ever-reliable duo of Nathan Bayne (52) and Rhys George (33) dominated the early proceedings. However, the run-out of George with the score on 67 proved costly as their momentum grinded to a halt apart from a quick cameo from Kody Wilson (30). Three young guns, Jonah Serong, Liam Quarrell and Zac Wright all did the job with the ball, taking two wickets each to grab back momentum, as the Stags mustered 152.
In reply, the anchoring of the innings was left to Ben Perry, his stardom from the Leongatha area following him to the WDCA, as he played the knock of the round to guide his side home.
With wickets tumbling around him the entire innings and Aaron Fawcett (3-34) spinning a web, Perry ramped up his aggression late, ensuring victory in the last over with just two wickets remaining. With no one else reaching 20, Perry’s 81* proved the difference and sent out a warning to the rest of the competition about Longwarry’s early season intentions.